But Trevulzio then cut in, pointing out, that practically the case was proved. That to allow me the ordeal by combat would upset all the course of military discipline, under which he thought the matter should be decided. Even if the ordeal of battle was allowed, and I won, it would not prove my innocence in the face of the damning evidence against me. "If there is any shadow of doubt, your excellency," and D'Entrangues advanced to the table, "this will clear it up. Messer Vieri, kindly hand that package to the duke." The man whom he addressed, who was no other than he whom I had remarked, on entering the justice room as D'Entrangues' companion, stepped forward and placed the packet before Tremouille, who opened it amidst a dead silence. "Messer Vieri, how did you obtain this?" asked Tremouille. "The matter is simple, excellency," replied the banker, "but first may I ask if madame the duchess recognises the trinket?" The circlet was handed to the duchess, who said in a low voice-- "It is mine: it was stolen from me a month ago--on the seventh of March." "On the eighth of March a packet was delivered to me at my house of business by one Tarbes, calling himself servant to the Cavaliere di Savelli. He did not know the contents of the parcel; but it was sent to me for safe keeping by his master, so he said. I gave him a receipt for it. I myself did not know what the nature of the packet was until to-day; but hearing the charges preferred against the cavaliere, I opened the case and at once recognised madame's circlet, which I have the pleasure to restore." "How did you come to hear these charges against the Cavaliere di Savelli?" asked Bayard. "I was informed of them by the knight, Messer d'Entrangues." "That is to say, M. d'Entrangues must have known that the jewels were pledged to you. Is this not odd?" It was a straw of hope that floated to me, and I could scarcely breathe. D'Entrangues, however, replied boldly, "I was told of the matter by one Tarbes, a servant to M. di Savelli." "You forget to add," I burst out, "that he was a creature of yours, whom I employed on your recommendation." D'Entrangues made no reply, and Bayard said, "M. d'Entrangues appears to have usurped the functions of the provost and played catchpole. Could we not see this Tarbes?" "Call Tarbes," said the duke. Braccio came forward and explained that he had been dealt with summarily, under the orders of the lieutenant-general. "Mine!" said D'Alegres in astonishment. "Yes, excellency, he was the prisoner whom your excellency ordered me to hang last night." "A pity," remarked the duke, and Trevulzio, between whom and D'Alegres there was little love, smiled. "I suppose you have nothing to say to this?" said Tremouille to me. "I was not in the camp on the seventh." "Where were you?"